Against the Current, page 4
“You slammed?” Gabriel asked.
“Look, I’m not social and I have gotten tired of pretending to be. After so many schools it becomes exhausting. However, I don’t get bad grades, so I guess we need to try to get along to get this project done with.”
A lopsided grin formed on his face.
“I’m sure that took a lot of effort for you.” Gabriel folded his arms and leaned over on the table.
I narrowed my eyes.
“Dude, my dad is in the military, do you really want to see what he’s taught me?”
He chuckled and raised an eyebrow. “That depends, would you be teaching me or using those skills against me?”
“Nothing affects you, does it?”
He shrugged. “I have one life, why should I let others determine how I feel in it?”
I blinked. I didn’t have a comment.
“I work for my uncle at his pizza place some afternoons. So, some days after school are better than others.”
“How about tomorrow after school?”
“Thursdays are usually kind of slow, that should be good. Where works well for you?”
“I might regret it, but you can come to my house. I can’t promise the little monsters won’t get involved.”
“How many again?”
“Two.”
“They can’t be that bad.”
I raise a brow. “You say that now. You try living with them. I don’t have much make-up, but Persephone loves to go through what I do have and wears my clothes around the house.”
“Persephone?”
I rolled my eyes. “My mom went through an ancient Greece phase. It was a long phase if you ask me. We don’t like bringing it up either. Didn’t we already go through this?”
He laughed. “Okay, so you and your sister.”
I held up two fingers. “Persephone and Winnie.”
“Blair, Persephone, and Winnie?”
“My mom writes romance novels. It isn’t something that I enjoy broadcasting. Especially when I think about my mom writing sex scenes. Even though my parents have three kids spread out through their marriage, I’d like to think of them as asexual.”
He laughed harder. “Man, I get that. I remembered you said something about two sisters. They won’t bother me; I have little cousins.”
“You’ve been warned, that’s all I have to say.”
“I kind of remember where you live, can you text me your address though.”
“I might need your number first.”
Gabriel leaned over to the side and took a pen out of his pocket. He started to write a number on a piece of paper which he ripped off some notebook that sat next to him. His numbers were very ragged 0076 and kind of large.
“I can tell already if there needs to be anything handwritten, I’ll have to do it.”
He laughed. “What are you talking about? My handwriting would give our project some character.”
“That’s not the type of flair that I’m willing to try out.”
Gabriel handed the piece over to me and I took it.
“Looking forward to hearing from you partner.”
Gabriel tipped his sandwich towards me. I got up and headed to eat outside. My stomach was twisted. What was I getting myself into? I could tell already I was going to need some aspirin tonight.
The bread was out of the oven, but my hands were still covered in flour. There were white powdery splashes across the front of my grey dress. I wiped my hands against the thick material, adding to the streaks. Hopefully, this time the bread was edible. As I walked more into the sunlight there were women off to the side hanging their dresses and kilts out on the lines. Some of the boys ran through the hanging fabrics, yelling and laughing as their moms fused at them. I smiled. I shielded my eyes as I glanced in the other direction.
Walking around past the back of the house I picked up my pace. Since I passed through the field, and I let my fingers graze the tops of the wheat. The tops were hard little buds that pickled my fingertips. The tall blades followed me then bounced back and forth, leaving waves in my wake. Standing still for a moment I took in a deep breath and raise my hands to right in front of my abdomen. Gracefully I moved my hand forward than behind me slowly, my whole body shifted with my hands. Repeating it a couple of times the wheat field around me was dancing, waving sluggishly. A small smile grew on my lips. The energy flowed through me as I picked up my skirt with one hand and ran through the field.
Continuing I headed towards the water. Over my head a hawk flew, it let out a loud call. The shadow of the bird ran alongside me. Continuing to beam, I picked up my pace. The sounds of the water hitting the rocks grew louder. My breathing was heavier, but I stopped at the edge of the cliff and watched as the hawk kept going. The bird didn’t have limitations like me. Raising my arms out and wide I closed my eyes. Taking in a deep breath I felt the energy tickle the bottoms of my feet. Focusing harder I could feel the energy trickle through every inch of my body. A breeze then came at me from the ocean. The wind hugged me and went through me. I could almost feel the air go through the sleeves of my dress, almost as if I was a bird flying and it forced itself through my feathers. What I wouldn’t give to be able to fly.
“Are you planning on trying to fly again?” a voice behind me called out.
I smirked but kept my eyes closed. Lowering my arms, the wind died down.
“After my last attempt, I am not ready to try to fly over rocks,” I responded dryly.
He chuckled and I opened my eyes to him standing beside me. Ian had his hair loose around his shoulders. The ends curled from the sea air, and his brown eyes met mine.
“I’m glad to hear that, I’d miss you.”
I rolled my eyes before seeking out that hawk. The bird was no more than a dot.
“I will one day. I will use the wind one day to sweep me up to feel flight just once in my life.”
“Part of me hopes you get that one day.”
“Only a part?” I raised an eyebrow and crossed my arms over my chest.
“Yes, the other part of me is selfish and would miss you too much. As soon as you’re able to explore, I may never see you again.”
“I’d return one day.”
“Huh, I’m sure.”
“You’re telling me, you’re fine here? That you don’t have the itch to see what else is out there?”
“Not to the extent that you have.”
I sighed and looked out towards the horizon.
“Don’t you feel like we’re wasting our gifts a little by just staying here?”
Ian shook his head. “I help the farmers with their planting. We have food thanks to me.”
I couldn’t meet his eyes.
“I want to be here with you.” Ian continued.
“I know, I care about you as well, I just feel like there’s more and I want that for us.”
I watched as his shoulders rose then fell.
“I’d wait to the end of time for you, but,” he paused and caught my gaze, “please don’t make me wait that long.”
I took his hand in mine.
“I would not do that to you.”
Shifting in my bed my eyes opened. I wasn’t in a panic like the last dream I had, but it left me feeling unsettled. My stomach felt like there were butterflies with wings made from steel. That each time they fluttered their wings they cut into the lining of my stomach. Yet my fingertips tingled just as they had in the dream. Sitting up in the bed and rested the backs of my hands on my knees.
My palms were face up. My hands felt like when my feet fell asleep. They tingled in waves. Taking in a deep breath, I paused before letting it out slowly. Repeating a couple of times something felt off. Glancing off at my nightstand. It was only a split second, but I swore that there was a couple of droplets of water floating above the glass of water.
My stomach dropped. Shaking my head, I looked over again. There wasn’t anything unusual about the half-empty glass. Sliding down in my bed I could tell I needed some sleep. Floating water? That I caused water to move? Yup, I needed sleep.
On the way to school, my brain was foggy. I had almost poured orange juice into my cereal. As I pedaled to school it felt like I was riding through mud or pudding, whichever is thicker. With a jerk and a scream, I rolled onto someone’s yard. A curse escaped me as I turned myself over. My bike was on its side and the handlebars were twisted around. I tried to push myself up and I cringed. Pulling my knee towards me, my face contorted.
“Are you dead?” a raspy voice yelled.
Craning my neck, I saw an elderly man standing on his front porch. Even from the sidewalk, I could see the thick lines etched into his face.
“No,” I called back and rolled my eyes.
“Get off my yard then.”
My palms pressed against the brown, prickly grass. Once I was in the next yard, I leaned forward to get a better look at my leg. The yard I was on was completely green and provided more of a cushion. The fabric around my knee was thinner. Leaning forward I rolled the material up my leg. As I got closer to the knee area it was getting tighter, the material struggled to go further. My skin was scratched and torn. Blood was rolling down my leg, dying my pale skin crimson.
“Do you need some help?”
Peering over my shoulder there was a middle-aged man.
“I’ll be fine,” I yelled back.
Pushing myself up, heat radiated through my whole leg. I hobbled back to my bike. A slam of a door behind me echoed.
“Be careful.” The voice continued.
The middle-aged man was soon by my side. He handed me some paper towels and in his other hand, he had some band-aids. I smiled weakly at him and took the paper product from him. Pressing the white material against my skin I hoped the pressure would ease it. Taking it away I took the bandages from him and pressed them against my skin. That would all have to do until I got home or if I needed, I could go to the nurse at school. I would prefer not to do that. Leaning forward I rolled my pants back down.
“Thank you.”
“Are you sure you, have it?”
I looked up and he had brown eyes that looked down into mine. His brown hair was cut short.
“Yeah, thank you.”
“Do you need help getting to school?”
I shook my head and stared at the broken chain on my bike.
“I’ll be fine, thank you.”
Taking a glance over my shoulder at the man I picked up my bike. With a hand on each side of the handlebars, I trudged forward. The bike moved awkwardly, and my leg hurt. Limping down the street counting down the houses until I reached the high school. It felt like a million miles away as I dragged my feet.
By the time I got to school the parking lot was full, but not a single person was in sight. I groaned and pushed my bike into the rack, not bothering to lock it up today. I was late and if anyone were that willing to steal my broken bike, they could have it. I walked into the school and into the office. The ladies in the office were doing something. One of them looked up and raised an eyebrow at me.
“You’re late.”
“My bike broke, and I had to push it here.”
“Okay, let us get you signed in and you can go to the nurse.”
I signed the binder, and she came around the corner. Her eyes widen.
“Oh my God, you’re bleeding through your pants!”
“I’ll be fine.”
“I’ll help you to the nurse.”
Now she wanted to be nice.
“I’ll be fine, she won’t have to chop it off or anything.”
Her brows came together. “Humor me and let me show you to the nurse’s office.”
She paced herself and I wobbled alongside her down the hall. Her steps became smaller, and I was thankful. My face cringed when I put pressure on one leg. The woman from the office opened the door and I made my way in. There was a desk to one side, a couple of cots, and a sink station. A woman with pixie short hair was sitting behind the desk. She looked up from her screen.
“You must be new because you don’t look familiar.”
“Yeah, my bike broke on the way to school, and I fell.” I lifted my leg slightly, wincing.
Her neck stretched and looked over her decorated desk.
“Go sit on that chair and roll up your pants.”
Making my way to a chair I plopped my backpack on the ground. I lowered myself to the chair and little by little rolled my pants up. I was thankful I didn’t join the fad of the skinny pants.
“Where are you from?”
“All over, military family.”
The nurse looked up from her band-aid box and down at my leg.
“I hear that. Let me get you to clean the cut with this then we’ll put band-aids on them. They seemed to be mostly dry now, but better safe than sorry.”
“Before I go back to class can I call my mom and let her know she’ll have to pick me up?”
“Absolutely.” She nodded.
She handed me some little cloth that reeked of medical cleaner. I wiped my leg and the cut stung when it went over it. I bet my tongue and went quick. I threw it in the trash what felt like not soon enough. She handed me some band-aids and I put them on.
“Whenever you are done you can use my phone. Dial nine, one then the number that you want to call.”
She smiled and went back to her desk. Peeling the little plastic tabs off I smoothed the sticky side onto my skin until most of the damage was covered. Standing up I turned the phone around on her desk. Dialing my mom’s cell, my mom picked up right before it went to voicemail.
“Hello?”
“Hey mom, I’m fine, but I’m in the nurse’s office.”
“Are you okay? Do I need to come to pick you up?”
“No, I’m fine. Well, my bike broke on the way to school, and I need you to pick me up afterward.”
“Yeah, I will do that. Are you sure you’re good?”
I nodded even though she couldn’t see me.
“I’m sure Mom.”
“Okay, I’m glad you’re safe, have a good day. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
I hung up.
“Thank you.”
I picked up my backpack and headed to class.
“Hey, do you want the notes from Math this morning?”
I turned around in the hallway as I was headed to my next class. Anjuli was picking up her pace and turned sideways to avoid some guy who was darting across the hall.
“Thanks, I am not usually late for things. My bike randomly broke on the way to school.”
She handed me one of her spiral notebooks.
“That sucks.”
“Yeah, I landed on this grumpy guy’s yard. He asked if I was dead. His whole yard was dead, so I don’t know what he was so worried about.”
Her face scrunched. “Mr. Gregor’s? Ugh, he’s worse than the guy that gives out fruit at Halloween. He acts like someone pooped in his coffee every single day of his life.”
“Oh, so that was normal behavior for him?”
“I wasn’t there, but it sounds like you found the troll in our town.”
“His neighbor seemed cool though.”
She nodded and steered us down the hall.
“Brown hair?” She paused and I nodded back. “Yeah, that’s Mr. McArthur. He’s single, a lot of the single moms attempt to hit on him. I often wonder if he plays for the other team and just doesn’t want to admit it.”
“Either way, living next to a troll-like that, it can’t make bringing anyone home easy.”
She laughed.
6
Blair
I sat with my legs crossed in front of me on the sidewalk at school. People were coming and going. The yellow buses zoomed past my spot. Taking a deep breath, I stared at the ground where some puddles were collecting. Thankfully, it waited until lunch to start raining, and I didn’t have to walk to school pushing my bike in the rain. That was looking at the silver lining, right? My eyes focused on the puddle. My annoyances from the day slowly drifted from my mind. My breathing leveled out. Gradually a ring formed in the middle of the dirty water before spreading to the edges.
My eyebrows fused, and I straightened up. I focused again on the water. Soon another ring formed, and another, and another. Concentrating on the center single droplet bubbled uprising and shaking. Soon the puddle was completely covered with rings, and I jumped a foot in the air. My mom’s SUV pulled up, and she rolled her window down.
“Do you need help getting it on the bike rack?”
I sighed. “No, I got it.”
I pushed myself off the ground and limped slightly to the bike rack. I picked my bike off the ground tied it onto the bike rack. I made my way to the front of the car and got into the passenger seat.
“I’m glad you’re safe, but I’m sorry about that bike.”
I shrugged. “Just another change.”
“Bumble Bee, it’ll be okay, maybe we can fix it. Your dad said he’d look at it tonight when I talked to him earlier.”
My mind kept trying to listen to her but kept going back to the puddle of water. There wasn’t a chance that I moved it. That doesn’t make any sense, but that was the second time in less than twenty-four hours.
“I have someone coming over tonight. We are working on a project.”
“Oh? What’s the friend's name?”
She stopped at a stop sign and looked in both directions before turning.
“Gabriel.”
Winnie in the back was mumbling to herself. I forgot she was in the car until she squeaked her toy then started to shake it around.
“Was that the guy that delivered the pizza the other night?”
“Yup.”
“He seemed nice.”
I raised an eyebrow and slowly turned to face her.
“He delivered us pizza then left.”
“Well, he still seemed nice.”
